Frequency-scaled ultra-wide spectrum element

Abstract

An antenna element that includes a base plate, a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate, a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar, a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar, and a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member, wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. An antenna element comprising:
 a base plate; 
 a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate; 
 a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar; 
 a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar; and 
 a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member,
 wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and 
 a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar, 
 
 wherein the first ground member and the first signal member each comprise a stem that supports the respective member in an upright position. 
 
     
     
       2. The antenna element of  claim 1 , further comprising a second ground member projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from the first ground clustered pillar on a second side of the first ground clustered pillar opposite the first side, wherein a distal end of the second ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar. 
     
     
       3. The antenna element of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second signal member projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from the first ground clustered pillar on a third side of the first ground clustered pillar,
 wherein the second signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate and the first ground clustered pillar, and 
 a distal end of the second signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar; and 
 
 a third ground member projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from the first ground clustered pillar on a fourth side of the first ground clustered pillar, opposite the third side of the first ground clustered pillar. 
 
     
     
       4. The antenna element of  claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric material separating at least a portion of the first ground clustered pillar from at least a portion of the first signal member. 
     
     
       5. The antenna element of  claim 4 , wherein the dielectric material is a coating on the first ground clustered pillar. 
     
     
       6. The antenna element of  claim 4 , wherein the dielectric material is a sleeve covering at least the portion of the first ground clustered pillar. 
     
     
       7. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the element is configured to receive RF signals in a frequency range between a first frequency and a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency and the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar are spaced apart at a maximum interval of one-half the wavelength of the second frequency. 
     
     
       8. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the element is configured to receive RF signals in a frequency range between a first frequency and a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency and the first signal member projects from the base plate with a maximum height of one-half the wavelength of the second frequency. 
     
     
       9. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first ground clustered pillar comprises a projecting portion that projects from the first side of the first ground clustered pillar; and 
 the first signal member comprises a wrapping portion at the distal end that at least partially wraps around the projecting portion of the first ground clustered pillar. 
 
     
     
       10. The antenna element of  claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric plug inserted into the base plate for affixing the first signal member to the base plate. 
     
     
       11. The antenna element of  claim 10 , wherein the dielectric plug comprises a connector for connecting a signal line to the first signal member. 
     
     
       12. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the first ground clustered pillar, the second ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member are electrically connected to the base plate. 
     
     
       13. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, the second ground clustered pillar, the first ground member, and the first signal member each comprise a conductive material. 
     
     
       14. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first ground member and the distal end of the first signal member are substantially symmetrical about a plane disposed midway between the first ground member and the first signal member. 
     
     
       15. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first ground member and the distal end of the first signal member are substantially asymmetrical about a plane disposed midway between the first ground member and the first signal member. 
     
     
       16. The antenna element of  claim 1 , wherein the first ground member and the first signal member are substrate-free components. 
     
     
       17. A phased array antenna comprising:
 a base plate; 
 a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate; 
 a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar; 
 a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar; and 
 a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member,
 wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and 
 a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar, 
 
 wherein the first ground member and the first signal member each comprise a stem that supports the respective member in an upright position.